Becca Chair

The chair arrived that I ordered for the dining room.  I am on the fence about keeping it.  I like it, it is pretty, comfortable and I think it blends well with the table.  I for some reason thought that the nailhead trim would be brass and I also thought that the back would be higher.  I really need an honest opinion on this one....please, pretty please.

Becca looks a little too short to me?  What do you think?

I like the details, the tufting, the trim, the linen fabric...

I don't have a problem mixing finishes, but I do think this would have been better in brass for this particular room.

Okay.  Yay or nay?  Remember the Jennifer Lopez house?  I think it should look like this.

Dining Room

Finally, we are starting to decorate the dining room.  The room has been vacant with the exception of a round table with no chairs, fabulous drapes:) and a pretty light for an entire year.

Here's what we need:

• molding
• rug
• chairs
• buffet/sideboard
• artwork
• large mirror
• sconces (2)

My husband decided to start on the molding over the weekend.  I helped hold the trim in place and tell him that he should use a level (I am sure he found this very helpful:).  I also threatened him if he harmed the drapes in any way, shape or form (he appreciated this as well:).

He has already calculated how many boxes to put on the bottom of the molding.  We will paint the bottom half of the wall white and leave the top of the wall grey (SW Majestic Grey).

I ordered a pretty chair for the table.  I thought it would be best to order one, see if we like it and order more if we do.  I really hope that it looks as good as the picture.  You never know what you are going to get if you don't see furniture in person before you buy it.  If we don't like the chair I will just send it back and try again.

Decorating with Giant Clam Shells

(Julia Cumes for the Boston Globe)

We just returned from a wonderful trip to Sanibel Island in Florida. Like so many visitors to Sanibel our family got bitten by the "Shell Collecting" bug and we spent much of our time roaming the beautiful beaches hunting for shells. I am a big fan of using natural materials in decorating, especially shells, and one of my favorites items is the giant clam shell.

When I returned home I looked through my files and found that over the years I had several images of the giant clam shell. I wanted to share with you a few of my favorites. The photo above is vignette from the John Derian's summer home on Cape Cod. I love the unexpected texture the shell brings to this simple, rustic antique table.

(designingdna)

Perhaps the most obvious way to use a giant clam shell is on a table top. It lends itself well as a vessel for planting or housing a collection of fruit or decorative balls. I really love the example above. I find the contrast of the soft, willowy arrangement very striking against the rough coarseness of the exterior of the shell.

(Elle Decor)

Above is lovely living room of Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos. You can see the giant clam shell in the fireplace.

(Elle Decor)

Here the shot is restyled and you can see a better view of the shell. I especially like the bold color of the back of the bookcases. It provides a wonderful contrast for the other shells which are displayed.

(coastal style living)

These next two bathrooms are designed by Barry Dixon and they are fabulous of examples of using the giant clam shell in the bath. The glass shower creates almost a terrarium like display for the shell and provides a fabulous natural element.

(coastal style living)

Barry Dixon again uses a giant clam shell and fills it with natural sea sponges. I love how the placement of the shell softens the lines of the tub. The chandelier and screen are also beautiful additions.

(Jupiter Granite)

I love to see the shells used in more unique ways like the sink above. I adore this!! Someday I hope to add a bathroom at the beach house with a giant clam shell as a sink. This particular one was beautifully executed.

(House Beautiful)

Here is a more opulent example of using a giant clam shell as a sink. This bathroom, with it's mother of pearl tiles, is located in Southampton, NY. You can read more about this amazing home here.

Finally here is wonderful vignette located on the back wall of the pool house of Antiquarian, Michael Trapp, via Joni at Cote de Texas. The giant shell adds a wonderful burst of white against the spectacular stone walls. This home is really extraordinary. You can read more about it here.

Our Sanibel vacation inspired me add more shells to our beach home decor. We came home with a suitcase filled with our beautiful finds. I am anxious to get them sorted and displayed. More to come!! Hope you all are enjoying the summer!!!

Dining Room Perfection!

I just love everything about this dining room by Mary McDonald! The wallpaper is fabulous and mixed with the apple green inside the shelving...simply perfect!

image via here

My Dining Room Wallpaper!

Just thought I would show a few snapshots of my new dining room wall!

I'm so excited to finally have wallpaper done in my own house! Any designers out there will know what a huge decision it is when it's going in your own house...I thought I would never make a decision.

A close-up! I went for quite a simple print in the end, in black and cream which matches the kitchen! I happen to be a big botanical print fan so thought I couldn't go too wrong with this.

I can't believe how much of a difference it has made to the feel of the room! I may have a new addiction! Tracey xx

Dining Room Inspiration Board

Okay, so I tried to create my very first inspiration board. I am not sure if this is how other bloggers do it, but this is the best I could do.  (Please click on the inspiration board to enlarge.)

 I could not get this chair from Ballard Designs to load onto the board for the life of me.  Anyway, I like this chair, but not sure what fabric.  I am thinking maybe a mustard/gold/yellow fabric of some sort.  I think the room needs a punch of color and I like yellow and gray together.

I realize I seem like a catalog whore, but this is what I look at all the time.  I can't help myself.

I like both the white finish and weathered finish for the table, I think either would look good. I would like this particular table because it can expand to seat 12 or condense down for 4. I love the flexibility of it.

The large mirror would be on the back wall to reflect the chandy and make the room appear to keep going.  I would like to keep the mirror simple and wide.  I am afraid of being too "fancy".

I would love to have a piece of art above the console table.  I have liked this Horchow painting for some time, the colors are vibrant and happy.

I like both sideboards and I like how sideboard2 mimics the lines in my front door.  I am not sure if anyone would even notice that, but I do.  I would display my white soup tureen bowls on top of the console cabinet.

I like both of these rugs. The animal print rug is much more affordable than the Thomas O'Brien rug, but of course I like the most expensive one best.  If anyone knows a knock-off for the O'Brien rug please let me know.  Also, do not look up the price of the O'Brien, you may have a heart attack!

I would love to hear any suggestions.

Thanks!
Amy

Lessons from a Grand Home

One of the wonderful things about writing Willow Decor is the opportunity to get to know Architects, builders and other designers. Like any master skill, if you look closely and listen to these talented individuals you can learn an amazing amount. Master architect, Tom Catalano of Catalano Architects, was kind enough to send some photos of a house he recently finished. While the house clearly exceeds the price range most of us can afford, reflecting more closely on the design, we can learn a great deal about how to add details and features into our own more modest homes, for a stunning effect. Here is the exterior of the home. Of course it is beautiful, but interesting things to note are the the roof lines and the use of multiple materials. Stone, cedar siding and wood accents and doors are featured prominently. Additionally notice the curved roof lines, copper roofing and copper accents. The cobblestone driveway also adds to the wonderful feeling outside. In your own home try to assess if you can add any one of these features to your existing exterior. A new wood door or cobblestone edging along your driveway or walkway can instantly elevate your exterior.

Of course some things are difficult and expensive to change once in your home- like banisters. But take a look at this entry. The iron spindles add a such a lovely accent to space. Also notice all the mouldings in this area. They are so beautiful. The addition of moldings is another way to add grandness to your spaces.

The gorgeous living room has all the architectural features to make it a showplace: limestone fireplace, curved large windows, beautiful mouldings. Here the mouldings have been painted a soft seafoam, rather than white and become more prominent in the room. Paint is great tool to use to call more attention to a wonderful feature in your room - who could forget the black painted mantel from the movie It's Complicated (photo link here)?

The dining room color echos the living room colors and provides a beautiful flow. Also notice the light fixtures. I love sconces in a dining room. They provide ambient light that can really help create a spectacular atmosphere. Also notice how the beautiful windows are not covered with heavy draperies, but allow the light to flood the room.

Thea kitchen is an area where details abound: the ceilings are coffered, the cabinets have all the extras, not even the tile was overlooked.Notice the detailed inlay on the cabinet crown moulding and the extended sides of the cabinets. Also of note it is the wood wall moulding which highlights the arched opening into the breakfast/dining area.

I imagine that wall moulding was used to off set this moulding detail entering the family room. The wood trim around the stove hood is interesting. Here is a close up of the tile design. Although the center piece is most likely expensive, the tiles that are not embellished are generally more affordable. Adding decorative tiles in strategic places, can give you an expensive, beautiful look for a reasonable cost. This can be done in your current tiled space, by carefully removing specific tiles and replacing the opened area with something more dramatic. Another doorway with wall moulding that looks into the breakfast/dining area. I really love the raised fireplace. So cozy in the winter. Notice the color of the kitchen ties in nicely with the color of brick. Off the entry, which you can see through the doorway is the library. Who wouldn't love to be surrounded by such fabulous wood and furnishings? Notice the ceiling - a deeper russet than the kitchen. Painting a ceiling in this tone really envelopes you in the room. (Have you noticed I am really into painted ceilings lately?)
Wonderful marble bath with wall mounted faucet.
This house has it all, including a to-die-for mudroom. The beadboard walls are so inviting. I love the branch like pulls. Also notice the floor; the slate is set on the diagonal which will make the space seem larger, and then edged horizontally, interesting details!
Here a back stairway brings you to the second floor. I suspect it is off the mudroom due to beadboard walls. I love beadboard in a newer home. It adds a nice touch by adding depth and a sense of age.
This is an entry to seating area -not sure which floor it is on, but I included it to show the wall moulding detail. It is interesting to me how well the rosettes mimic the kitchen backsplash tile. I love when details of one room are echoed in a different way in another room and this is a great example. Stunning!
The master bedroom is tranquil and beautiful - again gorgeous windows and french doors to private patio flood the room with light. The leather headboard provides a nice balance to the stunning wood ceiling.

Finally the opulent master bath. So much space and light - a dream with private make up area, separate sinks and glorious soaking tub! Small glass shelves dividing the vanity spaces provide privacy and openness at the same time.

.

This house is an exceptional example of classic home design. Though we may never be able to live in such a home, there are many small elements we can take from this and use in our own spaces. Take a fresh look at your room. Can you add some crown moulding, paint the ceiling or the mantel, add some tile? Outdoors can you edge the walkway with cobblestones or create a pebble path in the garden? Small changes can bring big impact. Let me know if any of this inspires you!

(all photos by Eric Roth and property of Catalano Architects - do not copy without permission)

Dining Room

The drapes for the dining room were finished and hung this week. I really love them! Originally I wanted these in the breakfast area, but UG thought these would look better in the dining room and of course they were right. I am sorry that the picture quality is not very good. I just could not get a good picture, I tried the evening they were hung and the next morning.

 This is a good start to decorating the dining room, all we need now is a table, chairs, rug, buffet, mirror and art.  It really takes forever to decorate.  I just can't force myself to buy things to fill the space.  I like to look for things that I like and take my time making selections. 

I think I found a table that will work nicely, I will try to figure out how to do an inspiration board or just post the pics of what I would like for the room. 

Have a great weekend!